Cocktails and orange juice
One day I was invited to a cocktail party. I didn't usually go to such celebrations, which were held almost every day in government circles. There was always a lot of drinking there. But this time I was saying goodbye to a good friend who had been a legal adviser to the California government. So, for once, I decided to attend his farewell party.
Some of my Adventist friends prefer not to make a fuss about not drinking alcohol on such an occasion. In order not to attract attention, they hold a full glass in their hands throughout the evening. They don't drink, but they're something of a "semi-Adventist" - underground fighters who don't want to be noticed, soldiers without uniform. Maybe they are ashamed of the army they belong to? Do you know that, too?
When I got to the party, the door opened and a lady greeted me, saying, "Dr. Farag, welcome! I know you don't drink alcohol. I've prepared something special for you: here, a glass of orange juice.” I replied, “Thank you for thinking of that!” Little did I know that the governor was standing right behind me. He had overheard and said to my surprise: "An orange juice for me too!"
He drank nothing else all evening. Rather, he stayed by my side and peppered me with questions, "Why don't you drink alcohol? How else do Seventh-day Adventists live? What do you think about this? How do Adventists see this?” He talked to me at such length that other guests asked, “Mr. Governor, do you talk to other people besides Dr. Farag?”
The world needs our values
What am I trying to say, especially to our young Adventists? Don't be ashamed of your faith! There are people who would like to live according to good principles, but are too weak to do it on their own. But when they meet someone who is principled, they are happy to join them. Therefore, we should always remember that we not only have a great responsibility for ourselves, but also for our fellow human beings.
Sometimes I, too, have felt the temptation to veil my faith—like when I applied when I almost didn't tell you that I was a Seventh-day Adventist. But let us not be ashamed of our special faith! The world needs the values we hold as Adventists. Let's wear our "uniforms" and be proud of it! God has no underground Christians. He wants us to be his representatives, his ambassadors.
What I didn't know
It was not until many months later that I found out in passing why my predecessor had been fired. He had embezzled money and accepted an expensive Mercedes-Benz as a bribe. This had caused the governor a great deal of inconvenience. Sensitized by this incident, he was immediately taken with me when he learned that a missionary was also among the narrow group of applicants. He is said to have said spontaneously, "Who could be more honest than an Adventist missionary!"
I kept thinking how good it was that I had identified myself as an Adventist when I applied. Through God's power I had been able to be honest at that crucial moment.
Back to Australia
As our home leave came to an end, I presented the governor with the complete California health care plan. I gave him a report in triplicate. One copy was intended for him personally, the other two were to be presented to the Senate and the State Assembly for discussion and decision-making.
Based on experience, I was told that this process would take about a month. Since my presence was required during this time for any queries and explanations, I had to postpone my departure accordingly. My wife and our three girls boarded the ship as planned, which was to take them back to Australia in 31 days crossing. We agreed that I would come by plane once everything was settled.
Night call
Finally we all got back to Australia on time. Only three weeks passed when the phone rang one night and woke us up. It was midnight. I picked up the phone and the voice on the other end of the line said, "This is Robert Pearson." Drowsy, I asked back, "Robert who?" "Robert Pearson, the President of the General Conference."
I had never received a call from the President of General Conference, and I was amazed that he would want to speak to me in the middle of the night. "Yes, Brother Pearson, what is it?" I asked. "Brother Farag, we want you to come back." In disbelief, I repeated, "Come back?? We've only just arrived!'
“Yes, I know,” Brother Pearson said. "But Governor Reagan has contacted President Nixon and told him that he needs you to help implement the US public health plan. Reagan and his advisors believe that no one else can do this as well as you. President Nixon then called my home and asked that you be released for this task. I have discussed this with the General Conference Committee, and they prayerfully concluded that you should heed the call of President Nixon and Governor Reagan.” My wife and I cried because it was a difficult decision for us. Finally we decided to go back to America.
God also loves the great of the world
It would be a total of almost 20 years of working among the "rich and famous". All along, opportunities have come to testify of what we Adventists believe. I didn't choose this - it was God's plan. It is important to God to reach the big ones in the world.
I cannot point to any experience of anyone in government circles becoming an Adventist through my testimony. But I can say one thing openly and honestly: everyone I have dealt with in the course of my work has learned what Adventists believe. Sometimes the governor or members of parliament even called me at home and asked for advice. Although some of the topics were outside of my area of responsibility, they wanted my opinion because they knew I would always tell them the truth.
A notable exception
When Governor Reagan left office, all of his advisers were fired, as is customary in America. All except me. The successor, Governor Jerry Brown, called me and asked me to stay. "I used to work for Governor Reagan," I replied. "Yes, yes, we know that," he said. When I asked him the reason for the takeover, he explained: “We made detailed inquiries about you. You are not tied to any party. You always tell the truth, whether you're speaking to Republicans or Democrats. Such people are rare.”
Wasn't that a big compliment? This incident also shows that most people appreciate it when someone is honest and sincere. God's people must be truthful! Let's not be ashamed to be completely honest in front of people.
A Sabbath
Jerry Brown had completed training as a Catholic priest. Little did he know when he took office as governor that I generally don't work on Sabbaths. So it was that one Sabbath morning, as we were leaving for church, the phone rang. My wife was already in the car with the children. I thought it was someone from the church and answered. It was the governor. He said: "Dr. Farag, please come to my office as soon as possible. We have a special session. It will not take long."
It wasn't his secretary who had called - he himself! I replied, "I'm sorry, Governor, I can't today." He replied, "I know something is unexpected. But there are some people here from Washington who need your advice. It really only takes a few minutes.” For a moment I thought about going over there and helping them out. But then I was like, "No, you can't do that." So I told the governor that. "Please come, just for a few minutes!" He pleaded with me. "It's not about the few minutes," I told him. “The point is that I'm a Seventh-day Adventist and I don't generally work on Saturdays. My family is already in the car and we want to go to church for the service.” “Oh,” he cried, “that's no problem! I am writing your priest a letter.”
He was familiar with that, as a graduate of the Catholic seminary. "No," I replied, "I don't want that at all. But I'm more than willing to come to you after sundown and if necessary work through the night for you.” – Silence on the other end of the line. Then came the terse reply: “Well, all right. Goodbye.” When I hung up the phone, I had an uneasy feeling. Turning to my wife, I said, "I think I just lost my job."
"Dr. Farag, where have you been?”
The cabinet meeting was on Monday morning. My neighbor Dr. Jerome Lackner, Director of Health, said to me, "Dr. Farag, we missed you on Saturday. Where were you?” The governor sat at the head of the table and listened. I replied, “I was in church at the service. But you are a Jew. Why weren't you in the synagogue?” The question just slipped out of my mouth – in the governor's ears. dr Lackner scratched his head in embarrassment and replied, "Yes, I know, I should have been in the synagogue. I just didn't have the courage. dr Farag, you are a better Jew than I am.”
The governor opened the meeting and, addressing his secretary, first recorded the following: “In the future, meetings attended by Dr. Farag is scheduled to attend is no longer on a Saturday.” And so it is that since that episode I have never had a call from the governor on the Sabbath.
I worked for Brown and the California government for another eight years. It wasn't as interesting as the first eight years under Reagan, but I did my best during that time. And the Lord has put his hands protectively over me.
Set yourself high goals!
Why did I report these experiences? Because God also wants to reach "the upper ten thousand". He is looking for associates who are able and willing to bear witness to him before the rich and powerful. These people also need a Savior. Many of these high profile celebrities feel a hunger for the soul. Many are looking for the enduring values in life. They too need witnesses. We care a lot about the ordinary people - and that's a good thing. But Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea must also learn the truth, just as Paul reached people in high circles.
In those very interesting years I have learned that every human being needs a Savior, the humble worker as well as the government official. Very few Adventists are represented in the leadership circles of this world. Above all, God is looking for younger people who want to serve him faithfully. Aim high! We need Daniels and Josephs in many places around the world. Let's make ourselves completely available to God and let him put us where he puts us. He wants to do great things through us!
Salem Farag, The $50 Story, (Iss. 23, 2014), pp. 65-71
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